- Wear retainer for the first 24 hours after the surgery to avoid misfit during the swelling phase.
- Essix retainers are only for esthetics. Remove your retainer for eating and sleeping.
- Clean retainer with cold water and a soft toothbrush. It is best not to use toothpaste as it is abrasive. Do not put retainer through disinfectant cycle in the dishwasher. If possible, polydent foam denture cleaner is best. It can be purchased at the drugstore.
- When not being worn, please keep safe int the retainer container that is supplied.
- Keep away from pets and small children.
- Keep away from heat such as hot water, direct sunlight, radiators – they will distort.
- When inserting retainer, gently push it over your front teeth. Then apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to the tops of your left and right molars (back teeth) until it snaps into place. Do NOT bite your retainer into position. This may damage it.
- Removal: on one side of your mouth, use your fingertip on the inside of your back molar to slowly pull the retainer from your molars. Make sure you stay away from the surgical site to avoid pulling on sutures. Repeat this process on the other side of your mouth before trying to completely remove the retainer. Once retainer is disengaged from the molars on both sides of your mouth, you should be able to slowly work your way forward gently prying the retainer away from your teeth with your fingertips.